Callaway strikes with Optiforce drivers

Callaway is already having a very good year in metal wood sales, and it only figures to get better with the rare summer introduction of the most innovative driver the Carlsbad-based company has delivered in quite some time.

Among the technologies: a more aerodynamic head that produces 23 percent less drag than a more conventionally shaped driver; lightweight Forged Composite crown; more loft and lie adjustability than Callaway has ever offered; and the choice of two different-sized heads: 440cc and 460cc.

The new driver is $400. The fairway woods will be $229.

“Callaway has always placed the golfer’s performance first when developing clubs, and we feel strongly that one club head does not fit all golfers,” said Dr. Alan Hocknell, Callaway’s Senior VP, Research & Development, said in a statement about the new release. “Players using an 8.5-degree driver are fundamentally different than players using 12.5-degrees of loft, so with the FT Optiforce Driver we have optimized each of the two available heads -- the 440cc and the 460cc – and adjusted critical elements like size, weight, center of gravity position, moment of inertia and others so that golfers have the best chance to optimize their launch conditions for better total performance.”